Stories about public health in action from around the Fairfax area.
Health Department Alert:
Stories about public health in action from around the Fairfax area.
August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and World Breastfeeding Week is recognized August 1-7. According to the Virginia Department of Health, breast milk is the only food that infants need for the first six months of life. It gives them all the nutrition they need along with important protection against diseases.…
Joyful Hands, a 501c3 organization and Fairfax County Health Department partner, held their 1stannual awards banquet on July 22, 2023, at Gerry Hyland Government Center. Joyful Hands is a global powerhouse supporting health and educational initiatives both here in Fairfax County and on the continent of Africa.
In their 18 months of existence,…
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) community outreach team continues to engage with new community members on issues surrounding chronic disease management.
Mariama Kalokoh and Frank Owusu, two members of the FCHD outreach team who work primarily with the African community in the Fairfax Health District recently facilitated a Chronic Disease Management Program (CDSMP) at…
Officials hear the stories of local high school students and their passion for public health
Teens from the Health Department’s Youth Ambassador Program welcomed a team of public officials from federal and local government agencies recently. The dignitaries were interested in learning more about the Youth Ambassador Program and enjoyed an informative session with…
The Fairfax County Health Department recently partnered with the...
Ask someone what, in their opinion, are considered self-less occupations, and for many it wouldn’t be surprising to hear teacher, social worker, or nurse. And while these occupations are considered vastly different from one another, Director of School Health Shauna Severo says that the role of a public health nurse actually encompasses all three.
Public health is the science of…
A champion in Fairfax County neighborhoods for many years, Thuy Nguyen founded theAsian American Community Center(AACC) in Annandale. The AACC provides a space for people to connect with one another, celebrate culture, and participate in activities that give back, such as creating care kits and delivering meals to individuals experiencing…
A fitting feature for National Nurse Month, Public Health Nurses from the Fairfax County Health Department School Health Team recently visited the Public Health Youth Ambassadors at Mount Vernon High School to talk about public health nursing and the school health…
For decades, Cindy Han has been a champion of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community both nationally and locally.
Cindy acted as President George H.W. Bush’s representative to the Northern Mariana Islands. In 1989, she joined President Bush for the annual signing of the ...
Every week, Creekside Village Community Center and Sacramento Neighborhood Center, both operated by United Community, host a Wellness Series for children aspart of their after-school activities.The…
The Health Department’s Disease Carrying Insect Program, an Environmental Health team who aims to protect the county from vector-borne diseases spread by mosquitoes and ticks, recently donated mosquito specimens collected from over 60 locations across the Fairfax Health District to the Walter…
Prabha Bhattarai Deuja, member of Multicultural Advisory Council and founder of Tender Hearts Foundation, is known for taking immediate action when there is community…
Jennifer Feltes, an epidemiologist with the Fairfax County Health Department, was part of a team that presented on the opioid/fentanyl epidemic underway in Fairfax County, and across the nation. More than a hundred people attended the community town hall held on Monday evening, April 24 at W.T. Woodson High School. Presentations included the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Substance…
April is Volunteer Month and we are highlighting the great work hundreds of Medical Reserve Corps volunteers make in the community throughout the year.
“If we aren’t doing anything for these kids, then coming to the barbershop and talking is a waste of time.”
These words from Juan Yates, owner of...
The Growth & Healing HUB offers children and families therapeutic services, regardless of ability to pay.
People from racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to have experienced symptoms of mental illnesses or disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.1 The Richmond Highway area of Alexandria, which represents one of the most ethnically and economically diverse areas of Fairfax,2…
On March 17, ICNA Relief held a banquet at the Waterford Event Center in Springfield. The event brought together community members and partners in celebration of the work that has been done over the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several Health Department staff were honored for their work with ICNA, including Community Health Development Director…
Provided 250 COVID home tests, administered 102 booster vaccinations, traveled to 20 local events and drove roughly 2500 miles – just a glimpse of what the CareVan has accomplished over the past 6 months.
The Fairfax County CareVan is community outreach on wheels.
...The work that Dallice Joyner does for public health is invaluable.
Dallice, a Staff Development Specialist in the Department’s Office of Innovation, co-leads projects that promote and embed equity within programs throughout the agency. In addition to developing and implementing new employee orientations, Dallice facilitates courageous conversations about racism, racial justice, and…
Food for Others, a regional food bank and member of the Fairfax County Food Council, held a grand opening of its Merrifield 10,000 square foot addition to its public-facing market on Thursday, February 9. In itsfirst two weeks, over 82,000…
On Saturday, February 4, people gathered at the Oakland Baptist Church in Alexandria to have conversations about HIV and to highlight progress made to reduce the virus in the African-American community.
The event brought together community members including the ...
Love, communication, and truth.
Those were the themes shared during the evening program of the COVID-19: Facing the Reality Summit on January 26 at the Gum Springs Community Center. Gums Springs is the oldest African American Community in Virginia located in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County.
The standing-room only event featured a panel discussion with Felicea…
"Public health is what we do together as a society to create the conditions under which everyone is healthy. It works best when everyone is engaged."
This quote from Fairfax County Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu encapsulates the spirit of how it is essential for our local community to collaborate in order to create a healthy foundation for all.
In kicking off…
The word “influencer” invokes images of TikTok product reviews and how-to Insta Reels. But a group of local community leaders in the Fairfax Health District are changing the definition of ‘influencer’ as it pertains to public health.
For more than a decade, the Fairfax County Health Department’s outreach team, together with support from its ...
Volunteers Gather at First Baptist Church of Vienna to Coordinate Food Donations and More
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is honored as a “National Day of Service,” encouraging Americans to volunteer. To honor this tradition, First Baptist Church of Vienna welcomed more than 100 people to help local students…
The sun was out yesterday in Annandale as people gathered at Fairmont Gardens to participate in a wide range of public health activities:
The Health Department provided 26 people with flu shots, onboard Fairfax County’s CareVan ...It’s the season of giving....
In Fairfax County, more than 81,000 people are experiencing food insecurity.
This year, food donations for the holidays are especially important. Due to inflation, food costs have risen, impacting both consumers and food banks.
The...
You will often see Health Department community health workers at food distribution events across Fairfax County. Community health workers assist at these events while also sharing important health information and resources with the community. Food distribution events provide opportunities for community health workers to meet people where they are, no matter where they are.
Community…
Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, director of epidemiology and population health at the Fairfax County Health Department, provided a COVID-19 update tolocal community leaders at...
The Reston Community Center hostedtheir annual William Dallas Helm Memorial Homeless Event on October 29. The event, a collaborative between Winnie Burns, event coordinator at Resurrection Baptist Church and a key Health Department partner, brings together local organizations and agencies…
What does health literacy mean to you? This is the question we posed to the leadership of our Stronger2 team here at the Health Department. Anthony Mingo, Olga Carrillo, and Erika Logan-Gales provide their perspective in these mini videos. Watch the series for a quick primer on health literacy.
...Like most of us, the Fairfax County Health Department’s community health workers have been busy this Fall. Over the past month, personnel have represented the agency and presented at dozens of events; sharing information and engaging in important public health conversations.
Community health workers also attended multiple food distribution events. In addition to helping with the…
During the first two weeks of October, each of the five Health Department Clinics welcomed teams ofFairfax County Public School family liaisonsfor tours and Q & A…
As a family liaison at Bailey's Elementary School, Maria Demarest provides assistance, information, and connection to resources for students and their families. But the impact of Maria's work is clear andgoes far beyondwhat may normally be expected from her role.
Maria's dedication to her community is unending and wide-reaching. Throughout her 32 years of working with Fairfax…
On October 1, the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington hosted a health fair at the Open Door Presbyterian Church in Herndon. At the event, the Health Department provided flu shots and COVID-19 vaccinations. Despite it…
In many ways, Annandale resident Mariana Enríquez is like any other Fairfax County mother. She tends to the needs of her two children, ages 10and 11, ensuring they are prepared for school, helping with homework, transporting them to various activities.
Mariana’s role as mother is bigger than just her family, though. Many of the children in her community participate in her ‘arts and…
On September 17, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church brought the community together for their second annual Multicultural Celebration and Health Fair. Attendees spent the afternoon getting connected to community resources, receiving health services, and celebrating culture.
Over 20 agencies and…
The grand opening of the new Sully Community Center in Herndon featured a wide variety of public and community health programs that aim to connect residents to more health and nutrition services.
In all that she does, from her part-time work as a Customer Service Ambassador at Dulles International Airport to her role as a Family Liaison (and everything in between), Fanny Laske-Salazar is helping others. And the impact of her actions is substantial.
"Fanny works selflessly for the benefit of the community. She started as a community leader after seeing the need to voice…
On September 9, the Northern Virginia Coalition for Refugee Wellness held their 6th Annual Conference and Roundtable at the Fairfax County Government Center. During this event, community partners, refugee leaders, and stakeholders gathered for a day of networking, sharing, and learning about local refugee…
On September 10, Afghan Home, a nonprofit organization dedicated to welcoming and supporting the Afghan community in the United States, hosted anevent to celebrate Afghan Independence Day.
Since last year, more than 70,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan and over 12,000 evacuees came to the Northern Virginia area. "In Afghanistan,…
Spotlight on: Patricia Moreno, public health champion in communities across Fairfax for 20+ years
When most people think of public health, they may conjure images of doctors and nurses or vials of vaccine.
But in reality, the core - or, the heartbeat - of public health is more likely to be found in neighborhoods and community events around Fairfax County, embodied within…
On September 15, Fairfax County Health Department epidemiologist Dr. René F. Najera gave a presentation at the National Vaccine Law Conference on the history of vaccines with a focus on those forgotten by history who contributed to their development.
Here are just a few of the people he highlighted.
In the early 1700s,…Engaging in meaningful conversations is an important part of bringing public health to the community. That is why in addition to providing information and resources, the Health Department's community health workers take time to talk with people, not just to them. That is why our team is on the scene each day at locations across the community, getting to know people and addressing their…
Collaboration between community partners, -- Boat People SOS (BPSOS) and ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) -- Giant Pharmacy, who was the anchor vaccinator for the event, and the Fairfax County Health Departmentled to a successful COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Eden Center on July 30th. During this event,…
Over the past couple of weeks back-to-school events have been happening across Fairfax. Members of the Health Department have been attending these events to provide students and their families with the things they need to have a healthy school year.
Community health workersand members of the outreach team set up tables at these…
The Fairfax Food Council estimates that the number of residents who are food insecure has doubled since the pandemic. Food distribution events like those held by the Legal Aid Justice Center with Food For Others on July 21 in Annandale…
It’s summer, which means the farmers markets are in full swing. Fairfax County Farmers Markets aim to make healthy food accessible, support local food production and vendors, and protect the environment through the promotion of sustainable farming.
Part of making these things accessible is addressing that buying from smaller vendors can often be more expensive than buying from…
The Fairfax County Health Department joined in many of the National Night Out celebrations occurring around the area the evening of August 2, 2022. The annual neighborhood-based crime and drug prevention event brings together community members and partners during the evening with special activities for families. Here is a recap of public health activities during National Night…
In April of 2021, Nery Ayala, manager of Megamart in Alexandria, reached out to the Fairfax County Health Department in search of COVID-19 vaccine resources for his employees. Mr. Ayala's employees, as well as members of the community that shop at his store did not have easy access to vaccine and some were concerned about its safety.
To address this, Megamart sponsored 4…
The Fairfax County Health Department is conducting a series of Facebook Live conversations highlighting fathers from different cultures and how they are modeling health behaviors for their children and future generations. In each conversation, fathers will explain how they foster healthy habits in all four pillars of health: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
"Fathering and…
Even on the hottest summer days, community health workers were outside. Equipped with sunglasses, water, and loads of sunscreen, they attended community celebrations, food distribution events, and farmers markets, bringing health conversations and resources to the people of Fairfax.
Community health workers attended community celebrations for Juneteenth. They spoke to attendees about…
When addressing the health of the public, assessing the needs of communities and tailoring care to fit those needs is essential. That's why, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fairfax County Health Department has worked with businesses, organizations, and multiple partners to bring COVID-19 vaccine into the community.
In April of 2022, Binbin Yang, Community Health Specialist…
School might be finished for the summer, but now is the time for children to get caught-up on their immunizations. Parents, delaying immunizations puts your child in jeopardy of starting school in August. Pediatricians and health clinics get increasingly busy with back-to-school appointments as summer days roll forward, so now is the time to take action and get children…
Stronger2 – a community initiative to improve health literacy among local African-American, African and Hispanic communities – launched a new website, stronger2.org.
This new digital home is a place for the community to connect with Stronger2 events, programs and partners. Visitors can also view data on Stronger2’s…
Vaccine clinic promotion and helping people sign up to get vaccinated are two very important roles for Fairfax County Health Department's community health workers. During the week of May 23rd, community health workers conducted outreach across Fairfax, informing communities about upcoming clinics, registering people for vaccinations, providing resources, and answering…
For Jasmine Spriggs, transitioning from the hospital setting to public health nursing meant getting to spend more time with patients, providing education and caring for their whole health instead of the acute issue. While the time spent with patients feels more valuable for Jasmine, it hasn’t come at the expense of her own time, as being a clinic nurse allows for a better work-life balance. “As…
In observance of May as Mental Health Month, the Fairfax County Health Department held weekly community conversations highlighting important mental health topics each Wednesday in May.
“We wanted to begin some conversations with our community and to spotlight important issues and resources,” said Lucy Caldwell, Communications Director at the Fairfax County Health Department, and…
Improving health in Fairfax requires collaboration at all levels, from government agencies and schools to community groups and individuals.
This month the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax, a coalition of community members and…
High temperatures did not stop the community health workers from bringing health information and conversations to the people of Fairfax, wherever they may be.
Community health workers attended events at three elementary schools, assisting at COVID-19 vaccine clinics, helping students and parents sign up…
Rain or shine, community health workers spent the first two weeks of May at shopping centers, schools, libraries, and food distribution events across Fairfax, bringing health conversations to the people.
Public health nursing is a calling. Fairfax County public health nurses Natalia Giscombe-Simons and Alysia G. Parker-Stephens share their inspiration to be nurses. Watch their stories and those of other public health nurses serving our community.
In recent weeks the Fairfax County Health Department has hosted Facebook Lives in honor of Earth Day and Public Health Lab Week.
Culmore Community Day, a yearly celebration of the cultural diversity in Fairfax.
"The best way to positively impact your community is to work within your community," Javier Alarcon-Ramos, Family Assistance Supervisor, Fairfax County Health Department.
Family assistance workers are public health staff members who connect those who utilize Health Department clinics and other health services with the resources they need. In short, this team serves asthe…
When Hybla Valley Elementary School closed due to COVID-19, family liaison, Ana Amelunge, knew something had to be done to ensure students and their families were taken care of. During a Facebook Live conversation, Ana explains how collaboration among community members helped save lives.
Public health isn't just about physical wellbeing. Mental wellbeing is just as important. That's why the most recent Real Talk at Perfections Barber Shop focused on Black identity and mental health.
When a mother of four came to the vaccine clinic for her booster and one of her children's first dose, the child was hesitant to get vaccinated. Hirrah Sheikh, a Community Health Worker stepped in to help.
In order to bring health to the community, we meet people where they are. Zubair Saeed and Mohammad Qureshi, two outreach specialists have formed close relationships with local mosques.
Project leader Anthony Mingo sits down with Tilly Blanding to discuss the Stronger2 initiative and how it is promoting health literacy within communities of color.
In the local Black community, barbershops are historical places where people come together to talk. This makes them the perfect place for talking about health.